Bayshore Marathon

Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City, Michigan

The Bayshore events take place on Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Traverse City, Michigan. The Traverse City Track Club organizes the event, which began in 1983 and will mark its 44th running in 2026. The program includes a kids run, a 10K, a half marathon and a full marathon. Entry numbers are limited for the races. Registration opens December 1, 2025 at 9 AM EST. Profits support the track club and are donated back to the local community; total charitable giving to aligned nonprofit organizations has exceeded $2.5 million.

Courses and race details

• Full Marathon
  The full marathon starts on the grounds of Northwestern Michigan College and follows an out-and-back, USATF certified course along the waterfront of the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. The course is described as flat and scenic.

• Half Marathon
  The half marathon is a USATF certified point-to-point course. Runners are bused to the start at Devil’s Dive Road. The course later joins the marathon route along Bluff, Center Road and East Shore Drive back to the common finish.

• 10K
  The 10K is an out-and-back, 100% paved course. It runs through about one mile of residential neighborhoods, follows the west shore of East Grand Traverse Bay, and turns around near the 3 mile mark. Much of the route is shaded.

• Kids’ Run (Kids Marathon)
  The kids event is 1.2 miles for grades K–5. It starts at the official Bayshore start, winds through the NMC campus, and finishes at the main Bayshore finish. The course is flat, paved and fully marshaled. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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